THE TRANSFORMERS: REANIMATED. "SNOWBLIND."

Written by

Youseph "Yoshi" Tanha & Greig Tansley.

Art and Colors by Damon Batt.

Based on the original cartoon series, The Transformers: ReAnimated, bridges the gap between the seminal second season and the 1986 Movie that defined the childhood of millions. www.TransformersReAnimated.com

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EXT. YAMBURG GAS FIELD, U.S.S.R. - DAY. FROM ABOVE - The SNOW-COVERED GAS FIELD of Russia sits amidst a SEA of FROZEN WHITE. CAPTION: Yamburg Gas Field, U.S.S.R... PANEL 2: CLOSER on the gas field. A group of industrious GAS WORKERS toil away; tightening valves, taking energy readings and most of all, SHOVELING SNOW. PANEL 3: CLOSER STILL on a pair of workers performing maintenance checks on a set of gas pipes as PURPLE LASER FIRE begins to fall all around them. RUSSIAN WORKER #1 Whoa, what?! RUSSIAN WORKER #2 Comrades, we are under attack! PANEL 4: In the sky above the Yamburg Gas Field, we see THE DECEPTICONS; STARSCREAM and THUNDERCRACKER, lead by MEGATRON, flying through the air as the twin Seekers continue to RAIN DOWN LASER FIRE at the workers. MEGATRON Starscream! Thundercracker! Continue the assault! I don’t want any human interference in my plans. STARSCREAM As you wish, Megatron. PAGE TWO: PANEL 1:

INT. THE GAS FIELD’S OFFICE HEADQUARTERS. From the OUTSIDE COLD, one of the field workers BURSTS into an office to ANXIOUSLY address his boss, MARKO RAMIUS.

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RUSSIAN WORKER #3 Mr. Ramius! We are under attack! It’s the Decepticons! MARKO RAMIUS The Decepticons? Then, we must contact the Autobots! PANEL 2: Ramius picks up the PHONE RECEIVER from his desk and holds it up to his ear. MARKO RAMIUS (CONT'D) Yes. It’s Ramius. Put me through to the Autobots! PANEL 3:

EXT. MOUNT ST. HILARY, THE AUTOBOT ARK - NIGHT. The AUTOBOT ARK rests in its usual mountain location. CAPTION: The Autobot Ark... PANEL 4:

INT. THE ARK. OPTIMUS PRIME stands facing TELETRAAN-1, whose DATA SCREEN displays the image of Marko Ramius’s face. MARKO RAMIUS (from the screen) Autobots, come in! Please! Help us! OPTIMUS PRIME This is Optimus Prime. How can I help? PANEL 5: CLOSE ON Teletraan’s data screen, displaying Ramius’s face, along with a series of data statistics about him, as well as a small MAP OF THE U.S.S.R., pinpointing the location of the Yamburg Gas Field. MARKO RAMIUS Optimus Prime, my name is Marko Ramius. (MORE)

2 www.TransformersReAnimated.com MARKO RAMIUS (CONT'D) I am contacting you now from the Yamburg Gas Field in the U.S.S.R. Moments ago, our facility was attacked by Decepticons. PANEL 6: WIDE SHOT, over Optimus Prime’s shoulder at Teletraan-1 as half its screen displays STATIC. MARKO RAMIUS (CONT'D) They are destroying buildings and harvesting our natural gas. It won’t be long before they find me and... Arrgh! PAGE THREE: PANEL 1: Optimus Prime unsuccessfully tries to re-establish the connection with Ramius as Teletraan-1’s screen flashes the words: LOST SIGNAL. OPTIMUS PRIME Mr. Ramius, come in! Do you read me? PANEL 2: Optimus Prime turns away from Teletraan-1 to face his troops, all lined up and at the ready. From LEFT TO RIGHT and STANDING AT ATTENTION, they are: IRONHIDE, PROWL, SUNSTREAKER, MIRAGE and BUMBLEBEE. OPTIMUS PRIME (CONT'D) Autobots, we are needed in the U.S.S.R. I don’t know what Megatron is up to, but whatever it is, you can bet it isn’t good. PANEL 3: CLOSE ON Ironhide, punching his RIGHT FIST into his open LEFT HAND. IRONHIDE Ah, shoot, Prime. You know I’m always down to bust some Decepti- chops. PANEL 4:

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FOUR SHOT of the rest of the Autobots. LEFT TO RIGHT: Prowl, Sunstreaker, Mirage and Bumblebee. PROWL We’re all ready, Optimus. Just lead the way. PANEL 5: WIDE SHOT - Optimus Prime stands before his team as they TRANSFORM into their vehicle-modes. SPARKPLUG has now entered the scene to stand near Optimus Prime’s feet. SPARKPLUG I’m coming too, Optimus. OPTIMUS PRIME Okay, Sparkplug. But, you ride with me. Autobots, transform... PANEL 6: Optimus Prime TRANSFORMS into his eighteen-wheeler-alt-mode. OPTIMUS PRIME (CONT'D) ... and ROLL OUT! PAGE FOUR: PANEL 1:

EXT. YAMBURG GAS FIELD, U.S.S.R. - DAY. CLOSE ON Megatron, now looking out over the Yamburg Gas Field as SOUNDWAVE lands on his feet behind him. SOUNDWAVE Megatron. PANEL 2: Megatron faces Soundwave. MEGATRON Report, Soundwave. SOUNDWAVE The area is secure. We are ready to harvest the Energon. PANEL 3:

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SATISFIED, Megatron turns away from Soundwave to focus on other tasks. MEGATRON Excellent! You may proceed, Soundwave. SOUNDWAVE As you command, Megatron. PANEL 4: Soundwave presses a BUTTON just above his WAIST as he starts producing EMPTY ENERGON CUBES from his chest’s cassette window. SOUNDWAVE (CONT'D) Viewfinder, Spyglass, Spectro, begin filling the Energon cubes. Operation: Rejuvenation. PANEL 5: The REFLECTORS: VIEWFINDER, SPYGLASS and SPECTRO carry empty Energon cubes, ready to be filled from the MAIN LINES of the Yamburg Gas Field. NOTE: The Reflectors all speak in unison. VIEWFINDER Yes, Soundwave. SPYGLASS Yes, Soundwave. SPECTRO Yes, Soundwave. PAGE FIVE: PANEL 1:

EXT. 50 MILES OUTSIDE THE YAMBURG GAS FIELD - DAY. The Autobots, now in the U.S.S.R., are driving in a convoy- like line towards the natural gas field. They are lead by Optimus Prime, who carries Sparkplug within his cab. SPARKPLUG Y-y-you mind t-t-t-turning up the heat a little, Optimus? I c-c-can’t feel my n-nose anymore.

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PANEL 2: INT. INSIDE PRIME’S CAB. Sparkplug sits in the DRIVER’S SEAT, his arms folded across his chest to keep warm, while the semi steers itself. Sparkplug is wearing a TAN COAT and an AVIATOR HAT, complete with EAR FLAPS lined in FAUX FUR. Due to the cold, when he speaks, his breath is VISIBLE like that kid from The 6th Sense. OPTIMUS PRIME Sure thing, Sparkplug. My transistors are getting a little cold as well. SPARKPLUG A little cold is an understatement, Optimus. I’m f-f-freezing! PANEL 3:

EXT. 50 MILES OUTSIDE THE YAMBURG GAS FIELD - DAY. WIDE SHOT, FROM THE SIDE - Optimus Prime drives down the frozen road, followed by Ironhide, Prowl, Sunstreaker, Mirage and Bumblebee. BUMBLEBEE Sparkplug is right. Are we almost there? My tires are frozen! PROWL What’s wrong, Bumblebee? Siberia too cold for you? MIRAGE Hey, lay off the little guy, Prowl. We’re all cold, but we need to stay focused on the task at hand. IRONHIDE Mirage is right, everyone. We’ll have plenty of time to warm up after we blast some Decepti-scum. SUNSTREAKER So long as we hurry. Before all this snow ruins my perfect paint- job. PAGE SIX:

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PANEL 1:

EXT. YAMBURG GAS FIELD, U.S.S.R. - DAY. Starscream stands beside Megatron as the two Decepticons overlook the Yamburg Gas Field and the Energon collection process underway by the Reflectors. Beside Megatron and Starscream stands a TALL PYRAMID of already-full Energon cubes. STARSCREAM Your plan is working perfectly, Megatron. At this rate, we will soon have enough Energon to re- power our forces and bring Cybertron completely back online. And then... MEGATRON And then, Starscream, I will personally see to it that those bothersome Autobots never interfere with us again! Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha! PANEL 2: Soundwave approaches Megatron and Starscream. SOUNDWAVE Megatron. PANEL 3: Soundwave now stands closer to Megatron and Starscream. SOUNDWAVE (CONT'D) Our first payload of Energon is nearly complete. Request Astrotrain for pick up and delivery. MEGATRON Proceed, Soundwave. PANEL 4: Megatron watches as Soundwave again pushes a button on his waist to contact ASTROTRAIN. Astrotrain’s response can be heard through the very same button. SOUNDWAVE Astrotrain , you are required for Energon pickup.

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ASTROTRAIN Acknowledged, Soundwave. I’m on course to arrive in twenty-five Earth minutes. SOUNDWAVE Acknowledged. PANEL 5: Starscream looks on as Megatron praises Soundwave. MEGATRON Good, Soundwave. Continue filling Energon cubes. SOUNDWAVE As you command, Megatron. PAGE SEVEN: PANEL 1: In the foreground, the Autobots hide behind a nearby SNOW DRIFT. Bumblebee is PEEKING out to see Megatron and Starscream in the distance. MEGATRON It won’t be long now, Starscream. Soon, we will have depleted all the natural gas from the area. STARSCREAM And then we can return to our home back on Cybertron? MEGATRON Yes, and the Autobots will be powerless to stop us! PANEL 2: CONFUSION spreads across both Megatron and Starscream’s faces as the panel is filled with INCOMING BLASTER FIRE. MEGATRON (CONT'D) What?! STARSCREAM It’s the Autobots! They’ve found us! But, how? PANEL 3:

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While Megatron and Starscream BICKER at each other, Starscream is struck in the shoulder by more blaster fire. MEGATRON The humans must have contacted them. Clearly, Starscream, you have failed in your task to round up all of the flesh-creatures. STARSCREAM (offended) I did not fail! I ordered Thundercracker to check all the human buildings. One of them must have... Aarghh! PANEL 4: Megatron orders his troops to attack while he TAKES COVER. MEGATRON If it’s a fight Prime wants, then it is a fight he shall have. Decepticons, ATTACK! PANEL 5: Soundwave presses his EJECT BUTTON and several CASSETTE TAPES: LASERBEAK, RAVAGE, RUMBLE and FRENZY jump out of his chest compartment to TRANSFORM. SOUNDWAVE Laserbeak, Ravage, Rumble, Frenzy... eject. Operation: Retaliation. PAGE EIGHT: PANEL 1: Taking cover behind a SNOW-COVERED BUILDING with Optimus Prime and Sunstreaker, Ironhide fires his blaster towards off- panel Decepticons. IRONHIDE The Decepticons have a lot of Energon cubes stacked up all around, Prime. OPTIMUS PRIME Make sure you do not accidentally fire at them, Ironhide. (MORE)

9 www.TransformersReAnimated.com OPTIMUS PRIME (CONT'D) One explosion from a single Energon cube could ignite the natural gas and cause this whole area to blow up. PANEL 2: Holding ground behind STACKED METAL PIPES, Bumblebee, Prowl and Mirage RETURN FIRE at more off-panel Decepticons. Sparkplug attempts to stay out of harm’s way as much as possible. BUMBLEBEE Does someone want to tell Megatron that? MIRAGE You can tell him yourself, Bumblebee. Just as soon as we’ve captured him. PANEL 3: Megatron lifts his FUSION CANNON and FIRES a blast from it. PANEL 4: The front end of a long office building EXPLODES from Megatron’s assault. Crouched at the back end of the building is Mirage, Prowl, Bumblebee and Sparkplug. CRIES FOR HELP can be heard coming from within the damaged dwelling. BUMBLEBEE Whoa! PANEL 5: CLOSE ON Mirage, Prowl and Sparkplug, still crouched for protection as LASER FIRE flies all around. MIRAGE I guess you’re not cold anymore, eh, Sparkplug? SPARKPLUG No. But, we have to save those people inside. Cover me, guys? PROWL You got it, partner! PAGE NINE:

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PANEL 1: Sparkplug makes a run for the building’s ENTRANCE while Mirage and Prowl lay down cover fire. PANEL 2:

INT. THE GAS FIELD'S OFFICE HEADQUARTERS. Sparkplug CRASHES through the door as FIVE other people (including Ramius) are huddled behind cheap-looking OFFICE FURNITURE. The other end of the building is ON FIRE, and DAYLIGHT is pouring through the MASSIVE SMOULDERING HOLE created by Megatron’s blast. PANEL 3: Sparkplug gets his bearings and speaks to Ramius and the other frightened workers. SPARKPLUG Everyone! Follow me! We can’t stay here any longer! It’s not safe! PANEL 4:

EXT. YAMBURG GAS FIELD, U.S.S.R. - DAY. With his ION BLASTER, Optimus Prime returns fire from his cover point while Ironhide speaks. IRONHIDE Sparkplug is gonna need help, Prime. OPTIMUS PRIME Then, we’ve got to create a distraction. PANEL 5: Optimus Prime stands up as a loud “CUR-THUNK” sound emanates off-panel behind him. OPTIMUS PRIME (CONT'D) And I think I have an idea... what? PAGE TEN: PANEL 1:

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Optimus Prime turns to see that Astrotrain is now behind him, SMASHING Ironhide and Sunstreaker’s heads together like they are a pair of Stooges. OPTIMUS PRIME (CONT'D) Astrotrain? PANEL 2: WIDE SHOT - Optimus Prime stands face-to-face with Astrotrain, who simply SMIRKS at him. Unbeknownst to Optimus Prime; Spyglass, Viewfinder and Spectro appear BEHIND HIM. NOTE: Once again, Viewfinder, Spyglass and Spectro speak in unison. VIEWFINDER Hey, Prime! SPECTRO Hey, Prime! SPYGLASS Hey, Prime! PANEL 3: Viewfinder, Spyglass and Spectro MERGE TOGETHER to TRANSFORM into their combined camera-mode of REFLECTOR as Optimus Prime turns his head towards their voices. REFLECTOR Say cheese! PANEL 4: Reflector BLINDS the Autobot Leader with a DAZZLING FLASH from his camera-mode as Astrotrain looks on with a smile, pulling back his fist, ready to strike. Optimus Prime LIFTS his arm to shield his eyes from Reflector’s flash, but it is TOO LATE. OPTIMUS PRIME Uuugh! ASTROTRAIN Lights Out, Prime! PANEL 5: Amidst an ALL BLACK PANEL, the SOUND EFFECT: “WHAMM!” is colorfully displayed.

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EXT. YAMBURG GAS FIELD, U.S.S.R. - DUSK. CAPTION: Later... WIDE SHOT of the Gas Field. Optimus Prime, Ironhide and Sunstreaker sit on the ground, BOUND in ENERGON RESTRAINTS - arms behind their back. Their ankles are also bound. Megatron and Starscream overlook their prisoners, while Soundwave and Thundercracker are loading the HUGE STOCKPILE of Energon cubes into the rear of Astrotrain’s shuttlecraft- mode. MEGATRON Pity. PANEL 2: CLOSE ON Megatron KNEELING in front of Optimus Prime. MEGATRON (CONT'D) You and your Autobots didn’t put up much of a fight, Prime. There was no fun in your capture. PANEL 3: Megatron lifts his fusion cannon up to Optimus Prime’s head. MEGATRON (CONT'D) Perhaps I’ll find more joy in your termination? PANEL 4: Megatron stands up, looking down at Optimus Prime with DISAPPOINTMENT. MEGATRON (CONT'D) But not like this. You deserve a more fitting execution. Right, Starscream? STARSCREAM A more fitting... what?! PANEL 5:

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Megatron BACKHANDS Starscream across the FACE, silencing him halfway through his condescending lecture. STARSCREAM (CONT'D) These Autobots deserve no such courtesy. If I were leader, I would have given Astrotrain the order to dispatch them as soon as he had the upper han... Aaagh! MEGATRON Silence, Starscream. PAGE TWELVE: PANEL 1:

EXT. YAMBURG GAS FIELD, U.S.S.R., A LITTLE FURTHER AWAY - DUSK. Hiding behind a SNOW DRIFT, Bumblebee, Prowl and Mirage are wrestling with what they should do next, while both Sparkplug and Ramius look concerned. Mirage is looking over the snow drift to see what is happening to their Autobot allies using a set of DIGITAL BINOCULARS. MIRAGE Yep. They’re in trouble, all right. BUMBLEBEE Come on, Prowl! Let’s blast those Decepticons and free Prime and the others! MARKO RAMIUS No, Bumblebee! You don’t want to do that. Some things around here don’t react kindly to blasters. PANEL 2: CLOSE ON Sparkplug and Ramius looking up at Bumblebee. SPARKPLUG Ramius is right, Bumblebee. There’s gotta be another way. PANEL 3: CLOSE ON Bumblebee. BUMBLEBEE Yeah, but how?

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PANEL 4: Mirage turns and crouches down beside Bumblebee and Prowl. MIRAGE I’ve got a plan. PANEL 5: Prowl, Sparkplug and Ramius look at Mirage as he speaks to Bumblebee, causing the smaller Autobot’s expression to SINK. MIRAGE (CONT'D) But, I’m afraid you’re not going to like it. PAGE THIRTEEN: PANEL 1:

EXT. YAMBURG GAS FIELD, U.S.S.R. - DUSK. HERO SHOT - Megatron points off into the distance like STALIN. MEGATRON Soundwave! Once the Energon has been secured aboard Astrotrain, move the prisoners into the hold as well. PANEL 2: CLOSE ON Megatron’s face. MEGATRON (CONT'D) We’ll bring them back to Cybertron with us. PANEL 3: Megatron looks down at a shackled Optimus Prime. MEGATRON (CONT'D) It seems only fitting that your death will also be the birth of a new Cybertron under my rule! PANEL 4: Optimus Prime DEFIANTLY looks up at Megatron.

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OPTIMUS PRIME You may take my life, Megatron, but so long as Autobots exist, you will always be on the losing side. PANEL 5: Megatron looks over his shoulder to see Bumblebee WALKING towards him from a distance, along with Sparkplug and Ramius. They all have their HANDS UP in the air, but Bumblebee still holds his BLASTER. BUMBLEBEE Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! We surrender! PANEL 6: CLOSE ON Megatron’s face looking back down at Optimus Prime. MEGATRON Hah! The losing side of battle, you say? I think your ego subroutine needs a systems check, Optimus. Let’s hope all of your remaining Autobots are as smart as this one. PAGE FOURTEEN: PANEL 1: WIDE SHOT - Megatron and Starscream stand in the foreground, looking to the distance at Bumblebee, Sparkplug and Ramius as they TRUDGE through the snow towards the Decepticons, HANDS HELD HIGH. Starscream is pointing his arm-mounted NULL RAY at Bumblebee, who still holds a blaster of his own. STARSCREAM Drop your weapon, Autobot, or face my wrath! PANEL 2: CLOSER IN on the surrendering party as Bumblebee tosses his weapon to the side. Behind Sparkplug and Ramius, we see their footprints in the snow, as well as those of Bumblebee’s and a FOURTH set of prints made by a larger, UNSEEN BOT. PANEL 3: Bumblebee and his two human friends have now walked up to Megatron and Starscream. Starscream SHOVES Bumblebee down to his KNEES before Megatron.

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Again, a pair of TRANSFORMER-SIZED FOOTPRINTS can be seen in the snow, still walking behind Starscream to move off-panel. STARSCREAM (CONT'D) Kneel before your new leader, Autobot. BUMBLEBEE Ugh. SPARKPLUG Hey! PANEL 4: Megatron RAISES his fusion cannon to Bumblebee’s HEAD. MEGATRON Tell me, Bumblebee... How many more traitors are hiding out there among the snow drifts? BUMBLEBEE None. Just me. PANEL 5: With a look of DISGUST, Megatron pushes the barrel of his fusion cannon against Bumblebee’s FACE. Bumblebee is rightfully TERRIFIED. MEGATRON Don’t lie to me! I’ll reduce you to space-dust! BUMBLEBEE I swear it, Megatron! It’s just me! MEGATRON Pathetic! Thundercracker! Go check the perimeter, just in case he is lying. PAGE FIFTEEN: PANEL 1: CLOSE ON Optimus Prime’s RESTRAINTS. They are being loosened from around his wrists as though untied by an INVISIBLE BEING.

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MEGATRON (CONT'D) (off-panel) The fate of the entire Autobot Resistance rested on you, Bumblebee... PANEL 2: With his ARMS FREE, Optimus Prime begins removing his own ankle restraints. MEGATRON (CONT'D) (off-panel) ... And rather than make a last stand like a warrior, your pathetic Autobot programming forces you to surrender like the little yellow coward you are. PANEL 3: Megatron lowers his weapon while speaking down to Bumblebee. MEGATRON (CONT'D) The true nature of an Autobot. Bah! PANEL 4: CLOSE ON Megatron’s SURPRISED EXPRESSION, as he is DISTRACTED by a voice from off-panel. OPTIMUS PRIME (off-panel) Tell me, Megatron... MEGATRON What? Prime? But, how? PAGE SIXTEEN: PANEL 1: FULL SPLASH PAGE - Optimus Prime delivers a DECISIVE UPPERCUT to Megatron’s face that lifts the Decepticon OFF HIS FEET. Starscream stands in SHOCK, while both Sparkplug and Ramius jump up and down, cheering. OPTIMUS PRIME Does this feel like cowardice? PAGE SEVENTEEN: PANEL 1:

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CLOSE ON Soundwave, issuing orders to his minions. Rumble and Frenzy stand in front of him, Energon cubes in their hands. SOUNDWAVE Decepticons, attack! PANEL 2: Once again in their INDIVIDUAL FORMS, Viewfinder, Spyglass and Spectro are seen in various states of being KNOCKED TO THE GROUND by an UNSEEN FORCE. There is NO TRACE of their attacker, save for more FOOTPRINTS in the snow. VIOLENT SOUND EFFECTS are displayed across the panel, while Energon cubes are seen strewn about the gas field. VIEWFINDER What? SPYGLASS Ughnn! SPECTRO Aaaagh! PANEL 3: Laserbeak, Ravage, Rumble and Frenzy appear in various states of DISTRESS, also under assault by the INVISIBLE ADVERSARY. Soundwave stands in the background, observing the chaos. RUMBLE Hey! FRENZY What the heck!? SOUNDWAVE I can hear you, Autobot. PANEL 4: Mirage REAPPEARS to LEAP at Soundwave, who DUCKS the attack. NOTE: Only Mirage’s upper body is visible, while his legs have not yet fully reappeared. SOUNDWAVE (CONT'D) I hear everything. PANEL 5: With a CHUN-LI/SONYA BLADE-STYLE MANEUVER, Mirage’s UPTURNED LEGS become VISIBLE to KICK Soundwave in the head.

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PANEL 6: Now COMPLETELY VISIBLE and standing over Soundwave’s PRONE BODY, Mirage smiles. MIRAGE Perhaps, Soundwave. But then, you literally didn’t see that coming, did you? PAGE EIGHTEEN: PANEL 1: Megatron GINGERLY sits up, rubbing his jaw to see Ironhide, Sunstreaker and Bumblebee now on their feet with weapons loaded. In the background, we can see a DISARMED Thundercracker, hands behind his head, walking towards the others with Prowl following close behind and holding him at GUN POINT. MEGATRON Impossible. PANEL 2: Megatron gets to his feet, while Starscream stands nearby. MEGATRON (CONT'D) There is no way you could have freed yourself from those restraints. PANEL 3: Mirage’s SPEECH BUBBLE appears right in front of Megatron and Starscream. Although, Mirage cannot be seen at all. MIRAGE (invisible) You’re right, Megatron. STARSCREAM What?! MEGATRON How... how is this possible? PANEL 4:

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Mirage appears before both Decepticons, now FULLY-VISIBLE once again (all except for his still-materializing feet) to BLAST Megatron in the chest at CLOSE RANGE with his SHOULDER- MOUNTED MISSILE. MIRAGE I freed them. PANEL 5: Starscream staggers backwards in shock as Megatron clutches his DAMAGED CHEST. He seems to be BADLY HURT. MEGATRON Curse your abilities, Mirage. I once... had big plans... for you. PAGE NINETEEN: PANEL 1: CLOSE ON Megatron’s ANGERED face. MEGATRON (CONT'D) Decepticons! The day is lost! Retreat! PANEL 2: Soundwave’s cassettes, along with Viewfinder, Spectro and Spyglass FLY OFF into the sky as Soundwave LEAPS into the air to join their escape. SOUNDWAVE Operation: Evacuate. PANEL 3: Astrotrain (in shuttle-mode) BLASTS OFF into the sky, leaving the Energon cubes to SPILL OUT of his open rear doors. In the foreground, Ironhide, Ramius and Sparkplug POINT and LAUGH. IRONHIDE Ha-Ha! They’re so eager to hightail it outta here, they’ve forgotten to secure their load. SPARKPLUG They’re losing all the Energon cubes they collected! Ramius, you won’t lose any power after all! PANEL 4:

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Starscream and Thundercracker LEAP into the air, TRANSFORMING into jet-mode as Megatron flies alongside them, one hand still clutching his injured chest. STARSCREAM Another stunning victory, oh, ‘mighty’ Megatron. MEGATRON Shut up, Starscream. PANEL 5: FROM BEHIND Bumblebee’s head - Starscream, Thundercracker and Megatron fly away into the distance. BUMBLEBEE Yeah! Who’s programing was written with a cowardice subroutine now?! PAGE TWENTY: PANEL 1: Ramius stands before the assembled Autobots (Optimus Prime, Prowl, Ironhide, Sunstreaker, Bumblebee, Mirage) and Sparkplug with a THANKFUL HAND GESTURE. MARKO RAMIUS Thank you, Autobots. Thank you, Comrade Prime. Because of your actions today, my people will not suffer through another long and cold winter. PANEL 2: CLOSE ON Optimus Prime. OPTIMUS PRIME Thank you, Mr. Ramius, but the real recognition should go to Mirage. He’s the reason we were able to overpower the Decepticons. PANEL 3: STILL CLOSE ON Optimus Prime. OPTIMUS PRIME (CONT'D) Now, Autobots, it’s time to help the Russians clean up and repair their natural gas field.

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PANEL 4: TWO SHOT - Ironhide and Bumblebee. Bumblebee is looking off- panel, SLIGHTLY CONFUSED. IRONHIDE Aw, Prime. Ain’t it enough that we saved the humans’ fuel source? BUMBLEBEE Don’t worry, Ironhide. It won’t take long. Isn’t that right, Mirage? Mirage? PANEL 5: WIDE SHOT - Looking over a clearing of pristine snow, a NEW set of Autobot FOOTPRINTS walk away from the reader. A SPEECH BUBBLE with no apparent owner LAUGHS while Bumblebee can be heard off-panel. BUMBLEBEE (CONT'D) (off-panel) Mirage? MIRAGE (invisible) Heh-heh.

THE END

We want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to read our script. If you liked what you read here and would like to see more stories in the Transformers G1 cartoon universe, Greig and I would love to keep writing. You could help by contacting IDW Publishing by E-Mail (letters@idwpublishing. com) or on Twitter (@IDWPublishing), and let them know you want to see Transformers: REANIMATED written by Yoshi and Greig Tansley as an ongoing comic book series. Thank You All!

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